Tech giants and celebrities under scrutiny as authorities widen money laundering investigation
ED Reissues Summons After No-Shows from Meta and Google Executives
India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into illegal betting and gambling platforms by issuing fresh summons to senior executives from Meta and Google, according to The Times of India. This follows the failure of company representatives to appear for questioning on 21 July as part of a widening money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The tech companies have now been directed to appear before the ED on 28 July, after reportedly requesting additional time to compile and submit relevant documentation. Once present, the officials’ statements are expected to shed light on how online advertisements for illegal betting platforms were allowed to proliferate across their networks.
Digital Ads Under the Microscope: Alleged Role of Big Tech
The ED is examining the mechanism by which unauthorized gambling operators advertised via digital platforms such as Google Ads and Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram. These ads allegedly led users to offshore or illegal platforms that not only facilitated unregulated gambling but also served as conduits for money laundering and tax evasion.
Sources within the agency suggest that billions of rupees may have circulated through these channels, often disguised through layered financial transactions that evade regulatory oversight. The investigation aims to determine the extent of complicity or negligence by digital ad platforms in vetting the nature and legality of promoted content.
Celebrities and Influencers Also Under ED Radar
As part of the broader sweep, the ED is also preparing to question more than 24 Indian celebrities, including actors Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Rana Daggubati, who are believed to have endorsed or promoted these gambling apps through social media and brand partnerships. This move highlights a growing accountability trend for public figures profiting from ethically or legally questionable endorsements.
Mahadev App and the Expanding Gambling Web
A significant focus of the investigation is the Mahadev Online Book app, reportedly operated out of Chhattisgarh, which has been linked to multiple offences including financial fraud, tax evasion, and unlawful betting activities. Authorities allege that the app served as a central hub for illegal gambling operations, with promotional content distributed via mainstream online advertising channels.
This case is one of over a dozen currently active investigations into digital gambling schemes, which are believed to have defrauded thousands of Indian users while operating under the radar of traditional financial regulators.
A Legal Precedent in the Making?
The ED’s actions suggest a transformational shift in how India approaches digital responsibility, with the potential to set new legal precedents for platform accountability in ad content. If Meta and Google are found to have knowingly or recklessly facilitated these promotions, the fallout could include financial penalties, regulatory reforms, or court-mandated restrictions.
The investigation underscores the Indian government’s determination to clamp down on the digital gambling epidemic, sending a clear message that tech platforms and celebrities will be held accountable for the social and financial damage caused by their involvement in promoting illegal operations.
